Level with electronic signals

ABSTRACT

A device that may be of different shapes and sizes to function as a level that emits an audio and visual signal when the device is level or parallel with gravity. It will also emit the same signals when the level is put in a vertical position and the device is plumb in one dimension; while at the same time will emit a different audio and visual signal when the level is moved and the bubble of amalgam will flow to the center of the other glass tube thus indicating that the other plane is level. In essence, both sets of signals will activate when the level is in true vertical position. The audio and visual signals are activated by D.C. current supplied by a dry cell battery. The liquid leveling agent is a drop of amalgam enclosed in a glass tube that is embedded in the body of the level. The contact points are also in the inner walls of the glass tube and traverse their circumference and at one point, they penetrate the walls of the glass tube to connect the outer surface; and are spaced the distance of the liquid amalgam when it rests in its extended state. The spaced contact points are a part of a simple open parallel circuit switch. Closing of the circuit will result when the amalgam flows to touch the contact points simultaneously when the device is level or plumb thus activating the electronic beep and the light signal.

.Iadd.This invention relates to a level with electronic signals..Iaddend.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device that alerts the user by an audio andvisual signal when the said device or the project is level or plumb inreference with gravity. This invention is more .[.consistentely.]..Iadd.consistently .Iaddend.accurate than the ordinary non-electric typebecause it will activate only when the device is in true level while theformer is merely an estimate from eyesight. With this invention, thefunctions of leveling with a leveling device may now be available topeople who have handicaps from a loss or lack of some of their senses.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR ART

Although different types of levels are commercially produced and used,none have given the level these added dimensions in accuracy and inaiding the handicapped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a level witha self contained power source to supply an audio and visual signal whenthe liquid amalgam bubble extends itself horizontally in a levelposition in reference to gravity and touching two contact points tocomplete the circuit and activating the signals.

Another object is to provide two audio and two visual signals when thesaid device is in true level in both of the planes of the horizontal andvertical direction.

Still another object of this device is to provide to the user a visualsighting of the position of the amalgam bubble because the device is notlevel resulting in no signals, to indicate if it is high or low and howfar off the center of gravity.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent as thespecification is considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the level consisting of a long rectangular bodywith six compartments. Namely from left to right, a rectangularcompartment that houses the power supply. A circular compartment isprovided that houses a glass tube with amalgam and their contact points.Adjacent is another circular compartment that houses two glass tubeswith amalgam and their contact points; the two glass tubes being moldedtogether in the center at right angles to form a cross. Next is acircular compartment that houses one of the visual signals which is alight. Adjacent is a square compartment that houses the two electronicbeepers. Completing FIG. 1 is the other circular compartment housing theother visual signal of a light.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the opposite side of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring circuit of the componentslisted above in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein as best shown inFIG. 1, numeral 1 identifies the body of the level and housed within thebody 1 is a rectangular compartment 2 that holds the power supply whichis a battery 3. Next a circular compartment 4 which houses thehorizontal glass tube 5 and within the tube are two contact points 6that envelope the inside circumference of the tube and are spaced apartthe distance of the amalgam 7 when resting in its horizontal state.Another circular compartment 8 houses two glass tubes, a vertical glasstube 9 and within the tube are two contact points that envelope theinside circumference of the tube and are spaced apart the distance ofthe amalgam when resting in its horizontal state, however the amalgam 11is showing currently resting in the vertical state. The other glass tube12, shown in its front view, (also contained are the contact points 13and the amalgam 14) which is molded to glass tube 9 but in a horizontalfixation at the center and are of right angle position to form a cross.The glass tube 12 is connected to a support 15 that connects the edge ofthe circular compartment 8. Adjacent to the double glass compartment 8is a smaller circular compartment 16 that houses one of the visualsignals which is a light. Referring to the Figures, particularly FIG. 3,when the level is held horizontally, glass tube 5 indicates a horizontallevel position has been attained when its contacts 6 are bridged withmercury 7, completing a circuit through light 16 and buzzer 17 andenergizing the contact leading to the tube denoted 12, so that when thelatter tube has its contacts 13 bridged by mercury 14, it will completea circuit to light 18 and the buzzer 17 closest thereto. Thus, when bothtubes have their contacts bridged simultaneously, this denotesattainment of a predetermined horizontal plane, such as that of a floor.Then the level is mounted vertically so that only the cruciform tubes 9and 12 are operated to denote a particular vertical plane, such as thatof a door when in a door jamb. The circuit may be traced from thenegative terminal through the bridged contacts of tube 9 thence to light16 and buzzer 17, energizing one of the contacts 13 of tube 12 so thatwhen the latter tube contacts 13 are bridged by mercury 14, the circuitis completed through buzzer 17 and light 18. This completion of thecircuit through both tubes 9 and 12 will indicate that a predeterminedvertical plane, such as that of a door while in a door jamb, has beenattained and indicated by the level. Next is a square compartment 17with audio holes that houses the two electronic beepers. The lastcircular compartment 18 houses the other visual signal of a light.

While a preferred embodiment of a level that signals with an audio andvisual sign for more accuracy and an aid to the handicapped has beenherein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changesand improvements may be made therein without departing from the scopeand spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A level for gauging predetermined horizontal and verticalplanes, comprising three mercury type switches disposed at right anglesto each other, two of said switches when simultaneously operatedindicating said predetermined vertical plane and two other of them whensimultaneously operated, indicating said predetermined horizontal plane,two of said mercury type switches being arranged closely together incruciform relationship and the other extending along the longitudinalaxis of the level and wherein the second switch of each of said twocannot be actuated until the first switch is bridged and actuates asignal. .Iadd.
 2. A level for gauging predetermined horizontal andvertical planes, comprising three mercury type switches disposed atright angles to each other, two of said switches when simultaneouslyoperated indicating said predetermined vertical plane and two other ofthem when simultaneously operated, indicating said predeterminedhorizontal plane, two of said mercury type switches being arrangedclosely together in cruciform relationship and the other extending alongthe longitudinal axis of the level and wherein the second switch of eachof said two cannot be actuated until the first switch is bridged andactuates a signal. .Iaddend.